Man charged with shooting Stone Park officer

A 28-year-old man was charged Saturday night with shooting a Stone Park police officer with a shotgun from a nearby strip mall as the officer conducted a traffic stop early Saturday morning, police in the west suburban city said.

Rashaun Carlisle, of Melrose Park, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm, police said in a statement.

The police officer, three-year-veteran Robert Vicari, was hit in the face and shoulder, but was not seriously hurt, authorities said. Vicari was back home this afternoon, said Stone Park Mayor Beniamino Mazzulla.

“We were all concerned and [now] we are happy to hear that he was treated and released and home with his family, recovering,” said Mazzulla.

The incident occurred about 2:54 a.m. when Vicari and another officer stopped a car for “suspicious activity” near the intersection of Mannheim Road and Division Street, according to Stone Park Police Chief Giuseppe Capece.

After the stop, Carlisle appeared in a nearby strip mall and opened fire on the two officers with a sawed-off shotgun, hitting Vicari, police said.

Police do not believe there is a connection between the traffic stop and the shooting.

Vicari was taken to Loyola Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

Police made two arrests, Capece said. One was Carlisle and the other was involved in the traffic stop.